Senator Ted Cruz Voices Strong Opposition to India Trade Deal with Vance, Navarro, and Trump
US Republican Senator Ted Cruz has accused President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and White House economic adviser Peter Navarro of obstructing a trade deal with India, as reported by Axios, a media outlet. In a public message to mark India’s Republic Day, Trump celebrated the historic ties between the US and India, describing them as “the world’s oldest and largest democracies.” He expressed heartfelt congratulations to the Indian government and people on this significant occasion through a social media message from the US Embassy in New Delhi.
Cruz reportedly shared in private meetings with donors that he was “battling” the White House over the trade agreement. Audio recordings of these discussions, provided by a Republican source, suggest that when questioned about the administration’s resistance to the deal, Cruz pointed to Navarro, Vance, and even mentioned that Trump was sometimes involved in the disagreement. The recordings date back to early to mid-2025.
As Cruz eyes a potential run for the White House in 2028, he warned that Trump’s tariffs could severely harm the economy and even lead to impeachment. He recounted a tense call with Trump that took place after tariffs were introduced in April 2025. Cruz described the conversation, saying it “did not go well,” and remarked that Trump was “yelling” and using profanity.
Despite these tensions, the relationship between the US and India remains critical. Recent challenges arose after the Trump administration imposed steep tariffs, including 50 percent on various imports and 25 percent related to Russian oil purchases. Additionally, Trump has claimed credit for mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan last May, a claim that India has disputed.
Earlier this month, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that the absence of a trade agreement was due, in part, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi not directly reaching out to President Trump. However, signs of diplomatic efforts to mend the relationship have emerged. Following the arrival of US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, discussions have resumed, and India has been invited to participate in Pax Silica, a US initiative focused on critical minerals. A bipartisan Congressional delegation also recently met with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated strong ties with India during Republic Day celebrations, highlighting shared interests in defense, energy, and technologies. He emphasized the significance of the US-India relationship for both nations and the broader Indo-Pacific region, expressing eagerness to continue collaborative efforts moving forward. Ambassador Gor also joined in the Republic Day festivities, reinforcing the diplomatic goodwill between the two countries.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vance-navarro-trump-resisting-india-trade-deal-us-senator-ted-cruz-10496142/
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Publish Date: 2026-01-27 04:16:00
